title: Pindolol acts as beta-adrenoceptor agonist in orthostatic hypotension: therapeutic implications.
abstract: Three bedridden patients with severe orthostatic hypotension due to chronic autonomic failure were treated with pindolol (15 mg/day), a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist with partial agonist activity. While taking this drug the patients were free of orthostatic symptoms: they could walk, and standing blood pressure was maintained above 90/50 mm Hg. Supine heart rate rose during treatment by 12-21 beats/minute, and stroke volume and cardiac output by 12-24 ml and 1.5-3.1 l/min respectively. Supine blood pressure rose by 21-68 mm Hg systolic and 14-49 mm Hg diastolic. Pindolol 15 mg/day was therapeutically effective in these three patients with severe orthostatic hypotension due to chronic autonomic failure. Further studies in a larger series of patients are needed to confirm this result.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002302:Cardiac Output; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010869:Pindolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010869:Pindolol